Artpace expecting 20,000 for Chalk It Up

For Artpace’s Chalk It Up, the adage “If it ain’t broke then — dang it — don’t fix it and where’s my pie?” fits perfectly. Obviously I took liberty with the saying, but the Chalk It Up formula works because the art changes year after year. (The pie means nothing.)

Sure, Artpace has added a some food booths and even a stage with live music, but the event’s foundation remains chalk art on Houston Street. The template is Houston Street, but what goes into the template is a completely new experience every single time.

“The basic layout is the same,” Kaela Hoskings, Artpace’s curator of education. “Each year we try to push our artist to try new and different things.”

Portrait of former mayor Phil Hardberger by Jeremiah Teutsch in 2010.

On Saturday, there are 20 professional artists (broken down into showcase and featured categories) and 44 art teams (mostly schools) that will be throwing down — quite literally — their own chalk madness. There is also the public mural by the San Antonio Museum of Art in front of Hotel Valencia. But, perhaps, the best twist are the freestyle areas where you and I — who can not draw a stickman or woman to save their life — can doodle to our heart’s delight.

Activities in the Kidzone are based on works by Artpace founder, the late Linda Pace, and exhibits currently on display. For example, kids will be able to add to the interior of a 4-by-8 tunnel similar to mirror igloo Pace once created. And there are plenty more activities to tired out the kiddos while working whatever lobe of theirs that handles creativity.

Organizers are expecting around 20,000 people. Last year, attendance reached 18,500 despite the rain. Artpace actually uses what seems like a credible method in gauging attendance — stickers. If you go on Saturday, you’ll know what I mean.